Success Factors of Adaptation of Newly Graduated Nurses: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Difficulties in adapting to the workplace can affect the transition of new nurses. They must adapt quickly, as this can impact their future career prospects. Therefore, this review aimed to identify success factors that promote effective transition and new nurses’ adaptation. Methods: The study adopted Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. Data were collected from MEDLINE, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science publications between 2011 and 2020. A total of 23 articles were included. The study included qualitative or quantitative primary research studies focusing on contributing factors to helping new nurses adapt to their work environment during the transition period. Thematic analysis was used to identify key emerging themes.Results: Three main themes were identified: (1) Organisational contribution (comprising social development, organisational culture, work characteristics, work readiness, work commitment, and professional role), (2) Personality traits (encompassing self-embodiment, masking personality, being proactive and confident), and (3) Academic institutions (comprising pre-entry knowledge and role of nursing faculty). The process of adaptation for new nurses needs to start during nursing education, supported by the workplace organisation and also driven by the nurse’s own personality. The review identified that the role of nursing education in helping to provide students with the knowledge and actual clinical experiences has a profound effect on developing nurses’ levels of self-confidence in delivering nursing care effectively. In addition, a warm environment supports nurses emotionally and physically. Conclusions: Though organisations and educational institutions have taken numerous efforts to ensure that new nurses have adequate support, personality and values are also equally important to ease adaptation during the transition process. This knowledge should be applied and emphasised in academic and workplace programs designed for newly graduated nurses to develop and strengthen their personalities and values, especially in increasing confidence levels and promoting proactive values that facilitate new nurses to adapt to their new employment quickly and effectively.

Factors influencing the development of nursing professionalism: a descriptive qualitative study

“…On the other hand, we reveal the underlying reasons for the restricted development of nursing professionalism among nurses during the transition period. Newly graduated nurses face negative experiences such as incompetence, lack of preparation, exhaustion, and disappointment in their work, hindering the development of nursing professionalism, which is especially evident in departments such as obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, and emergency, where teaching hours for these specialties fall significantly below those for general internal medicine and surgical nursing [54]. The educational experiences of nurses are insufficient to meet clinical demands [55].…”

When and how does the practice environment most benefit the job outcomes of newly graduated nurses?

“…During the past two decades, numerous studies have emphasized the importance of providing a supportive practice environment for NGN's transition (Baharum et al, 2023; Dudley et al, 2020; Lindfors et al, 2022). However, limited research has examined how and when the practice environment most benefits the personal growth and job outcome of NGN.…”